Interesting Places To Store Your Vino

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8D-NGhSE5P8NCZt04mWrJ8hdv7UzsClYhT9xnloA9gZkdnpG-S2vqGf6lxZJ-mdJEDL4mPZ4TxAievw9r_W7YuhNfz8dq0U6A74sYnp8g9byytFI7hE_S6boFXybBoJEJtqR-wbzStc/s1600/gailwrightathome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8D-NGhSE5P8NCZt04mWrJ8hdv7UzsClYhT9xnloA9gZkdnpG-S2vqGf6lxZJ-mdJEDL4mPZ4TxAievw9r_W7YuhNfz8dq0U6A74sYnp8g9byytFI7hE_S6boFXybBoJEJtqR-wbzStc/s320/gailwrightathome.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.gailwrightathome.com/2010/08/new-uses-for-old-wine-bottles.html">GailWrightAtHome</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This week I went on a wine tour of <a href="http://www.denbies.co.uk/">Denbies Wine Estate</a> in Dorking, Surrey with some girlfriends (hi y'all!). Complete with a tour, wine tasting, shopping, and lunch in the panoramic Gallery Restaurant, I learned that this vineyard is the largest in England, grows 10% of UK plantings, and was established just in 1986. Its similar geography to Champagne, France was the reason this property was purchased in the first place. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the beginning, neighbors thought it was a cucumber farm when they first starting planting their puny 2 year old grapevines. Today Denbies mostly makes white wines, many of which have won awards putting England on the map in the wine world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguV4zu18JIoJ-j_GlWdQiwieJo7DH3GT3ZTPPIOIa0lJQH0ZnR0M1A5liWCzd-_xi7kKAsYRINtWtYklZYycA-Ru83r7ImP3eGF4-Od7FlcPDS1v6ISjFIANn5mrwyW7OO_6vi4hkUN3c/s1600/Denbies-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguV4zu18JIoJ-j_GlWdQiwieJo7DH3GT3ZTPPIOIa0lJQH0ZnR0M1A5liWCzd-_xi7kKAsYRINtWtYklZYycA-Ru83r7ImP3eGF4-Od7FlcPDS1v6ISjFIANn5mrwyW7OO_6vi4hkUN3c/s400/Denbies-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denbies Wine Estate<br /><a href="http://www.denbies.co.uk/">[source]</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now the plot thickens as I share a few interesting places to store your precious wines in England...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>WW2 Air Raid Shelter</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Wgc_7zvJwT2c4jyRPA-EdknL1KxLf4jD1HamlIm4lvuMvHKgnKLn-CmXzdHNT_IUhyphenhyphen-1WyGm8wQglHDQSaNdZE5HGlUceQC-K-PBq6MwjJWo3Nyd-MA6upwhfA2QZo0d9w95L0GQRNQ/s1600/Happy+Homemaker+UK+20104-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Wgc_7zvJwT2c4jyRPA-EdknL1KxLf4jD1HamlIm4lvuMvHKgnKLn-CmXzdHNT_IUhyphenhyphen-1WyGm8wQglHDQSaNdZE5HGlUceQC-K-PBq6MwjJWo3Nyd-MA6upwhfA2QZo0d9w95L0GQRNQ/s320/Happy+Homemaker+UK+20104-1.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locke-King Vaults<br /><a href="http://www.ehdlondon.com/">[source]</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">During WWII, Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey was a hub of military aircraft manufacturing, and therefore a prime target. One of the UK's largest surviving air raid shelters was built there and now has become a perfect underground vault for wine storage just 40 minutes outside London. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Remaining sealed and unspoilt for almost 60 years, many original artifacts such as posters and signs remain in this cool, dark, and constant environment. The EHD redevelopment team has been very mindful of the war effort and will erect a plaque in the vaults in their honor. See <a href="http://www.ehdlondon.com/">Locke-King Vaults</a> for more details. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Old Stone Mine</b></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcJmf-aBSkDVI1TZ208R_vnlB6aa9D09dmkndN7_4z99RYhpcJg0w4HHoHiQlkrdcGjfxbNFr-6_9GAME6DgUVgZgW2mfgUlsAkyAXxJPYlTgQemgqAt-FQsEAxfN3Sjpwc_V_maxrxE/s1600/bath+stone+mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcJmf-aBSkDVI1TZ208R_vnlB6aa9D09dmkndN7_4z99RYhpcJg0w4HHoHiQlkrdcGjfxbNFr-6_9GAME6DgUVgZgW2mfgUlsAkyAXxJPYlTgQemgqAt-FQsEAxfN3Sjpwc_V_maxrxE/s320/bath+stone+mine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bath Stone Mine<br /><a href="http://www.fcet.staffs.ac.uk/jdw1/box.html">[source]</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This vast underground complex deep beneath the hills of Wiltshire was originally a quarry of famous Bath stone from 1868 to 1934.  The Corsham site was then taken over by the Ministry of Defense to use as a munitions storage facility with impregnable security as it is deep underground and encased in stone (bomb-proof too!). These qualities have been capitalized on by Octavian Vaults's <a href="http://www.octavianvaults.co.uk/">Corsham Cellars</a>.</div><br />(In fact, many stone mines were used as Cold War nuclear bunkers)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sea Floor</b></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZwJo15zps6iYHFESXvyRolggAGPhyeWpb-ERy_088pil5KJKTb5MdKFOy5_jnxpQZ7_Airpdox2mHxI2EV15v2NRV3ZRFPafQa8ThfWBye-lbH3mOq4wLoNbofONnfwNuUCoVlaPFJc/s1600/Titanic+Champagne+Bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZwJo15zps6iYHFESXvyRolggAGPhyeWpb-ERy_088pil5KJKTb5MdKFOy5_jnxpQZ7_Airpdox2mHxI2EV15v2NRV3ZRFPafQa8ThfWBye-lbH3mOq4wLoNbofONnfwNuUCoVlaPFJc/s400/Titanic+Champagne+Bottles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne Bottles On The Titanic<br /><a href="http://mainstreetone.blogspot.com/2010/08/white-star-line-rms-titanic.html">[source]</a> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps old shipwrecks inspired French wine buffs to think of submerging their wine bottles off the coast of Normandy, France. Currently certain winemakers, such as Louis Roederer, are experimenting to see if the gentle rock, constant temperature, and lack of light underwater will make a superior wine. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[Source: <a href="http://www.modern-wine-cellar.com/blog/storing-wine-in-davy-jones-locker/">ModernWineCellar</a>]</span></div><br />I have such an appreciation of new twists on old ideas :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> XO Laura

Interesting Places To Store Your Vino

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK source: GailWrightAtHome This week I went on a wine tour of Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Surrey with some g...

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Hamptons Style Mark III

Before I start today's post, a little snake update: unfortunately, our friend has disappeared. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy to see him gone, I just hope it's a permanent move on his part. And unless we know exactly where he retreats to, the snake catcher can't come and remove him. Fingers crossed he's packed his bags, never to return!<br /><br />Now that the excitement of the past few days has died down a little, I thought I'd revisit my previous posts on Hamptons meets Queenslander style. I think both of these homes are just gorgeous, and I love the fusion of traditional Queensland architecture with that crisp, elegant Hamptons style. And while we're on the subject of<br />combining architectural styles, I thought it would be fun to combine some of my favourite decorative elements into a virtual design for this home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrv1jNd_1IOeCmo6FIui_D7IHu8He4_CyQahOCo2Su3lUBxaEnozx-AQ3sth_VIhyphenhyphenjiDexdirF-PAIgFSCo140t0mAUYq5Jn_qaALoBM3AJPBI7FWjdntex7f5_inGaJUndjajSjyGPY/s1600/3b-June2008-VirginiaMacdonald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrv1jNd_1IOeCmo6FIui_D7IHu8He4_CyQahOCo2Su3lUBxaEnozx-AQ3sth_VIhyphenhyphenjiDexdirF-PAIgFSCo140t0mAUYq5Jn_qaALoBM3AJPBI7FWjdntex7f5_inGaJUndjajSjyGPY/s640/3b-June2008-VirginiaMacdonald.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'd gather <a href="http://virginiamacdonald.com/">unique pieces</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdbDFyOwpSL-712rSyKIju7_VJaAttIenRTxQ9GKEiJVrXm_wDcjmVgcUfkTIOnDfjnwJLERRTJBcUEN90RxdXIll7mzGG3nYVDX5D1IF6BPjWFz6bI9nc54HdZcTKGGMwqeUluNjbCA/s1600/63748-retro-white-r-x%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdbDFyOwpSL-712rSyKIju7_VJaAttIenRTxQ9GKEiJVrXm_wDcjmVgcUfkTIOnDfjnwJLERRTJBcUEN90RxdXIll7mzGG3nYVDX5D1IF6BPjWFz6bI9nc54HdZcTKGGMwqeUluNjbCA/s640/63748-retro-white-r-x%255B1%255D.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'd take a leaf out of <a href="http://megbraff.com/">Meg Braff's</a> design book</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgT4NSlzjUW15VSN1cBMvWxQ0tz1O0z6qBoFGlLmocfEYFpm3h2oPlGfNk_rzUz5W9vZCoEex6UEwWlFP8Ab7fqNtEhoJjtpCF-2rSQ-Mim2ZqqHUSAxmnmp1eESZO3PCzr0PhlwARrQ/s1600/105944067al1250951475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgT4NSlzjUW15VSN1cBMvWxQ0tz1O0z6qBoFGlLmocfEYFpm3h2oPlGfNk_rzUz5W9vZCoEex6UEwWlFP8Ab7fqNtEhoJjtpCF-2rSQ-Mim2ZqqHUSAxmnmp1eESZO3PCzr0PhlwARrQ/s640/105944067al1250951475.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">throw in a little of Collette Dinnigan's style</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwhGt2a9yZOlqRLFubttXIKo3M72hS4a36T_ANQd453bDFoHpYvJzO9DBnWIv_jPR2BQFIVPtMOmrRf9DCtZ9hekOkpVFIqpd5r_cu9hX32MW2z541WXisS6RI9VRehCTu2R2Msv97xU/s1600/domino+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwhGt2a9yZOlqRLFubttXIKo3M72hS4a36T_ANQd453bDFoHpYvJzO9DBnWIv_jPR2BQFIVPtMOmrRf9DCtZ9hekOkpVFIqpd5r_cu9hX32MW2z541WXisS6RI9VRehCTu2R2Msv97xU/s400/domino+2.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> add an unexpected pop of turquoise </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCR4jgiMX6sONlVW4hmC7rpN9Vk5QJ2JIFgvV1vmQBGIkt5V0CFKdt4RHgxJn356_H12M4MTyCnpgbpYrEvYLjdF1aiXz3AY2621bQYbF2_zzyrEgmZ1Xi1LIn5gvH_i26VVW7DhKX4Ng/s1600/habitually+chicschifters+new+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCR4jgiMX6sONlVW4hmC7rpN9Vk5QJ2JIFgvV1vmQBGIkt5V0CFKdt4RHgxJn356_H12M4MTyCnpgbpYrEvYLjdF1aiXz3AY2621bQYbF2_zzyrEgmZ1Xi1LIn5gvH_i26VVW7DhKX4Ng/s640/habitually+chicschifters+new+6.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> arrange a vignette or two</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkfCg7M_FArSifrzI5oir0CUsOYgj5Hb0rsWAzQrwxD2NkbMGqfAxwog5r3bDPcIjRmpNmyhawC50I5Dt8Ai5R3a8yxKVjaDxcPEQDuLJvrLygqFYOwHDXO1ld6ChQcb17zZekCQq6FU/s1600/hgtvemilydesignstaroffice1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkfCg7M_FArSifrzI5oir0CUsOYgj5Hb0rsWAzQrwxD2NkbMGqfAxwog5r3bDPcIjRmpNmyhawC50I5Dt8Ai5R3a8yxKVjaDxcPEQDuLJvrLygqFYOwHDXO1ld6ChQcb17zZekCQq6FU/s640/hgtvemilydesignstaroffice1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="goog_574972437"></span>steal <a href="http://www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com/">Emily Henderson's office chair</a></span></div><span id="goog_574972438"></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97F8V82nffKiiSNdphAYz09My4r6a72hiRQKzZRWFGBHd-cdStagzUeCY9L45TyPbY_8PAbxaRsUsHRQAzHMApY_ZkulIZD5nKFVR5jO17VFLNfeOg2t0E4Ln-CZRzS-paZm-GlwpFVo/s1600/leibowitzmcl1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97F8V82nffKiiSNdphAYz09My4r6a72hiRQKzZRWFGBHd-cdStagzUeCY9L45TyPbY_8PAbxaRsUsHRQAzHMApY_ZkulIZD5nKFVR5jO17VFLNfeOg2t0E4Ln-CZRzS-paZm-GlwpFVo/s640/leibowitzmcl1.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">gather <a href="http://leibowitzandmaclachlan.com/">natural elements and vintage pieces</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzHffD7bZ-I23D_Cr0M8S0HF1bXQJqRGdcAC4z57uhDl5P34o0aJGE9TSdiQOyAUgIuVxggiIiHlgR_qINNJHsqA_AH4CxUzuRYTjkrbqCcVnZ-x5zIiqhMaTNG52nhzxTZ22CHnAtvo/s1600/tumblr_l0szspUTBM1qz4kfuo1_1280%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzHffD7bZ-I23D_Cr0M8S0HF1bXQJqRGdcAC4z57uhDl5P34o0aJGE9TSdiQOyAUgIuVxggiIiHlgR_qINNJHsqA_AH4CxUzuRYTjkrbqCcVnZ-x5zIiqhMaTNG52nhzxTZ22CHnAtvo/s640/tumblr_l0szspUTBM1qz4kfuo1_1280%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">of course, I'd have to have the ubiquitous Queensland verandah</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl0DUT6u4O6kD-1vdWUJejd1gKVrkwdlmUpIp5X3vjhGYOi81t00zAUBiT5-MhluYPxlXbXrwVJnK7c8glS7yFDy_tA7jXErV1ovgiyJ-AcndqBz3hxjm48alaO5wJbPr55o5j2FKHgg/s1600/WATERLEAF+INTERIORS+PORTFOLIO_12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl0DUT6u4O6kD-1vdWUJejd1gKVrkwdlmUpIp5X3vjhGYOi81t00zAUBiT5-MhluYPxlXbXrwVJnK7c8glS7yFDy_tA7jXErV1ovgiyJ-AcndqBz3hxjm48alaO5wJbPr55o5j2FKHgg/s640/WATERLEAF+INTERIORS+PORTFOLIO_12.JPG" width="522" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">include some <a href="http://waterleafinteriors.com/">grass cloth wallpaper and custom cabinetry</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MMyJp9R_ADaUfGAOmua7Zmh2bRXDj7GA46gHISCY4yCIdTEuQh8mUuQdhuvVwf-4qTdzn9OUB1jBFtdeAfSVfvR58lKGPr6iYRdMc-NM7dDo4TuUfpycUYnQ-2d7lB9qjdnwScI7-yQ/s1600/windsor+smith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MMyJp9R_ADaUfGAOmua7Zmh2bRXDj7GA46gHISCY4yCIdTEuQh8mUuQdhuvVwf-4qTdzn9OUB1jBFtdeAfSVfvR58lKGPr6iYRdMc-NM7dDo4TuUfpycUYnQ-2d7lB9qjdnwScI7-yQ/s640/windsor+smith.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and to top it all off, incorporate some <a href="http://www.windsorsmithhome.com/">Windsor Smith</a> magic</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, each of us has our own personal style, and this is merely <i>my</i> interpretation of Queensland meets the Hamptons. I'd love to hear what <i>you'd</i> do - would you go traditional, or maybe contemporary? Mid-century modern or country cottage, or maybe something completely different? And the best part of this virtual design process - you're only limited by your imagination!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Hamptons Style Mark III

Before I start today's post, a little snake update: unfortunately, our friend has disappeared. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happ...

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The London Buzz

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This week has been filled with excitement around the premiere of <i>Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part I.</i> Here the movie will be in theaters tomorrow (films usually come a few months later than in the US). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Daniel Radcliff (aka Harry) and Emma Watson (Hermione) were interviewed by my local radio station on my way to school! Too cool!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_SYOdQPQzpd98UsSTAyp_-rSCxprKfAhRZkxLj61TKUKgjsRIQOX35oIN94LCnSE5MtOlB41yKrd0A3ZeTHw-ZoMx24iNw1ikxzFKz2Nt3rYDDitYJslHTUALPNDKg3u6crgyL940ns/s1600/HarryPotter2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_SYOdQPQzpd98UsSTAyp_-rSCxprKfAhRZkxLj61TKUKgjsRIQOX35oIN94LCnSE5MtOlB41yKrd0A3ZeTHw-ZoMx24iNw1ikxzFKz2Nt3rYDDitYJslHTUALPNDKg3u6crgyL940ns/s320/HarryPotter2.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Watson at <i>Harry Potter</i> London Premiere<br />[<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8127636/Emma-Watson-dazzles-fans-at-Harry-Potter-premiere.html">Telegraph.co.uk</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Emma is wearing a red poppy, the symbol of <a href="http://www.poppy.org.uk/">The Poppy Appeal</a> and Remembrance Day of the Armed Forces. Everyone in my part of town wore one last week.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">View video interviews of Daniel and Emma <a href="http://www.capitalfm.com/on-air/breakfast-show/watch-lisa-chatting-daniel-radcliffe-about-harry-p/">here</a>. Emma talks about not being allowed to cut or color her hair (thus the new 'do), get a suntan, or snow ski because of her constant role as Hermione Granger over the last ten years. </div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The other exciting news is the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton. I think the general feel here is the country has a deep fondness for Prince William due to the early loss of his beloved mother. And while the English seem to like that they have royalty, they also feel it is a huge financial burden and a bit out-dated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZm9SRfwS9RVCaTsRH34nwgSxf1MCXT4R2sfZgHfTLWpfn3KSQT8nLZ_yQXuOyJndIU0wsVXLzAiq91SLTXwXGy4tArCW_UKriwNl9QHMK-UIUxDEDrPQjZujhewQkltzRU-FhKiLEfI/s1600/Prince-William-and-Kate-M-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZm9SRfwS9RVCaTsRH34nwgSxf1MCXT4R2sfZgHfTLWpfn3KSQT8nLZ_yQXuOyJndIU0wsVXLzAiq91SLTXwXGy4tArCW_UKriwNl9QHMK-UIUxDEDrPQjZujhewQkltzRU-FhKiLEfI/s400/Prince-William-and-Kate-M-006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly Engaged: Prince William and Kate Middleton<br />[<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2010/nov/16/william-kate-engagement-tv">guardian.co.uk</a>]</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In comparison to the US, UK tabloid newspapers are much bigger business here. Not only are there more of them, but they are published daily (or even twice daily) instead of weekly. My guess as to why is many people use public transportation, like The Tube, and have more time to read. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today the radio reported that Kate was seen leaving Westminster Abbey and therefore will probably be having the wedding there. Their engagement has certainly added fuel to the tabloid fire!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think of the bumpy road the couple has ahead of them. I don't envy them, but I certainly wish them the very best. Weddings are so exciting! Especially of the royal fairy-tale variety :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, I have to admit I did buy one of those tabloids as a souvenir yesterday :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>XO Laura

The London Buzz

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK This week has been filled with excitement around the premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part I. ...

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